Social Participation in Health Financing: Advancing Equity, Trust and Accountability for UHC

The fourth episode in the social participation webinar series – co-hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Health Commission Office of Thailand (NHCO), with support from UHC2030 – aims to advance global dialogues, learning and exchange on how countries can institutionalise social participation in health financing policy processes. With sharp declines in global development assistance for health, many countries are facing financial shocks with dire implications for their health systems. As countries revisit their health financing strategies, including the mobilisation of domestic revenues, pooling of risks, and purchasing of services, important and difficult trade-offs are inevitable, determining who will benefit and who will be left behind on the path towards universal health coverage. The systematic and meaningful participation of people, communities and civil society in such processes can promote more effective, equitable and responsive policies, fostering accountability, trust and buy-in among the population. Recent reports from WHO, the World Bank and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health make the case for participatory approaches in health financing policy processes. Engaging communities and civil society – the intended beneficiaries – can enhance efficiency, equity, legitimacy, accountability and trust. Through technical presentations and interactive multi-stakeholder panels, participants will explore key features of meaningful social participation in health financing policy processes, sharing lessons from countries' experiences. The discussion will highlight diverse regional experiences and foster exchange among a range of stakeholders including government representatives, civil society, and international partners.